My Journey

Early Years – India
My relationship with art began quietly in childhood, in the simple joy of drawing, painting, and making things by hand. I spent hours creating—often making small, thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Participating in exhibitions gave me not only encouragement but also a growing sense that art was something I would carry with me throughout my life.

Finding My Direction – Fine Arts
As I pursued Fine Arts and visual communication, I became increasingly curious about how images speak—how they hold emotion, memory, and meaning beyond words. During this time, I had the opportunity to help start the first Visual Communication program at Loyola College in Chennai, an experience that shaped my creative path.

A Defining Moment – Discovering Art Therapy
One day, while browsing at the U.S. Embassy Library in Chennai, I came across Art Therapy with Children by Edith Kramer. Something shifted in that moment. I began to see art not only as expression, but as a powerful way of connecting, healing, and understanding human experience. That discovery quietly set the course for everything that followed.

1985 – A New Beginning
I moved to Washington, DC, to study art therapy at George Washington University. Learning from pioneers in the field, I began to integrate art with psychology in a deeper, more intentional way. It was a time of expansion—both professionally and personally.

Practice and Experience
My early work at Bambino School, Chennai, India, allowed me to engage with children with different abilities, where I saw firsthand how art could open communication in profound ways. Later, in the United States, I spent 16 years working with children, adults, and older adults facing mental health challenges. Each setting, each individual, deepened my understanding of the many ways art can support resilience and healing.

Returning and Building in India
Over time, I felt a strong pull to bring art therapy more fully into the Indian context. I began offering workshops and trainings for teachers and counselors, introducing creative approaches to emotional well-being. In 2008, I self-published my first book, “Creative Expressions: Say it with Art”. In 2015, I co-edited a book titled “Using Art Therapy in Diverse Settings.” These works led to cofounding the Indian Art Therapy Discussion Forum (IATDF) and to helping develop a Master’s program in Art Therapy at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology ADT School of Fine Arts in Pune, India. Being part of building the field in India has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my journey.

Writing and Sharing the Work
Alongside a private practice, supervision and teaching, writing became another way to reflect and contribute. I have authored two books on art therapy and art education, and contributed chapters to additional publications. Through writing, I continue to share what I have learned from the many individuals and communities I have had the privilege to work with.

Closing Philosophy

I believe that art offers a way of knowing that goes beyond words. It allows us to access memory, emotion, and inner experience with honesty and compassion. In my work, I see art not as something that needs to be taught or perfected, but as something that can be trusted—a process that gently reveals, connects, and heals.

Whether working with individuals, groups, or communities, my intention is to create spaces where people feel safe to explore, express, and discover their own inner resources. Art therapy, for me, is not only a profession—it is a way of being present, of listening deeply, and of honoring each person’s unique journey.